IL- Health firm is “investigating” predator priest
Today, Advocate Health Care said it is “investigating” a former Chicago archdiocesan priest accused of molesting at least four boys.
We welcome this news and urge Advocate to suspend Russell Romano while this investigation is happening. We also urge Advocate to seek out and listen to Romano’s victims as part of their investigation. Finally, we beg Advocate to begin, right now, reaching out to anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered crimes or misdeeds by Romano while he has been on Advocate’s payroll or property.
The notion that his job doesn’t involve kids just doesn’t wash with us. Child predators are notoriously adept at using any title or position to gain access to vulnerable kids. Romano is a counselor. He works for a respected agency. He could easily use those two facts to begin ingratiating himself with a single mom who has an addicted teen.
There’s a reason we jail child molesters. It’s because anything short of jail doesn’t really protect kids. The precise job responsibilities of a child predator matter less. His access to kids matters more.
It wasn’t in his job description as a priest to assault children. But he did. So it doesn’t matter much what his exact job description is at Advocate.
We hope every person who saw, suspected or suffered clergy sex crimes by Chicago clerics comes forward. Staying silent helps no one. Speaking up helps expose and deter wrongdoing. It also protects kids and brings healing.
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Winter Appeal 2023
To our friends,
2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’
At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.
To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.
Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.
Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.
Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!
Warmly,
Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.
Interim Executive Director